By: Ra’Shaun Hicks

Dedication letterI want to dedicate this book to the Hurt and Pain. I never would have thought I would get through this part of my life with you on my

side. But with you guys, I have become a better person and a better “Man”. This learning

process I have gone through and struggled through has given me the strength to be in this situation now. I just want to say thank you and I

will never give up.

My

Story

First published in the United States of AmericaBy The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale1799SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 33316http://new.artinstitutes.edu/fort-lauderdale

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior consent of the publishers.

Ra’Shaun Hicks: Rogue EtoileCopyright 2014 Ra’Shaun Hicks, with texts and text contributions by Lucy Molina, Calvin Hodge, Kevin Campbell, & Courtnie Heller

Editor: Lucy MolinaBook Design: Ra’Shaun Hicks Photographer: Courtnie Heller

Thanks to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for the great opportunity, and to Lucy Molina the great teacher in the world for her endless Knowledge.

Printed in United States of America

CONTENTS

IntroductionChapter 1: Work Hard and No Play

Chapter 2: Written on the BagChapter 3: Timeless Pieces/ White

EditionChapter 4: Timeless Pieces/ Black

EditionChapter 5: Look Around at VisualsChapter 6: Sketch What You SeeChapter 7: Chasing the Dream

Ra’Shaun Hicks at the age of 23, in 2007

Seeing and BeingA foreword by Ra’Shaun Hicks

Ra’Shaun Emmanuel Hicks has been called many things, including angel and devil, talent master, and designer. “Being a designer was never a part of the master plan. If things played out according to how I see them in my head, I’d probably be sitting in a cubicle at a law firm eight hours at a time entering data for the rest of my life.” This British raised designer spent the first ten years of his life in Ipswitch, England before moving to Virginia in the states. Honing in on his emotions, Ra’Shaun’s design aesthetic can be described as feminine, eccentric, unpredictable, and extremely versatile. He designs for all women- not just the mall girl or the businesswoman or the suburban type. From attending the Art Institute, he has learned that criticism is not always a negative aspect in life and it can drive your success. This is his passion, his dream and his passion for the future.

CHAPTER 1

Work Hard and No Play

“I am always in the sewing lab and loved to make clothes just because”

CHAPTER 2

WRITTEN ON THE BAGS

“The construction and detail to handbags was not something I really wanted to do but it came naturally to

me”

CHAPTER 3

Timeless Pieces: White Edition

“What inspired me to do these pieces was just the fun of who I

am and the love of color”

CHAPTER 4

Timeless Pieces: Black Edition

“What inspired me to do these designs was placing two different fabrics together and them making

total sense”

CHAPTER 5

Looking Around At Visuals

“My visual mind takes over all the time, and when it does I create a

masterpiece”

Louis Vuitton Window

My Duplication of the Louis Vuitton Window

Concept Board

Mood Board

CHAPTER 6

Sketch What You See

“When I’m alone and thinking too much, I make sure that I spend

time with my sketch book”

CHAPTER 7

Chasing the Dream

“The future is only an arms length away and I am reaching” –R.H

que le début( only the beginning )